The Nia Technique: The High-Powered Energizing Workout that Gives You a New Body and a New Life [Paperback]

Debbie Rosas (Author), Carlos Rosas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 25, 2005

the strength of Pilates, the flexibility of yoga, the muscle tone of strength training, and top-notch aerobic fitness—all through the revolutionary pleasure-based fitness program that gets you in shape from the inside out!

The hottest new trend in mind-body wellness, Nia—which stands for Neuromuscular Integrative Action—is the most advanced form of fusion fitness, blending martial arts, healing arts, dance, and spiritual self-healing to create a high-powered, synergistic workout that no isolated exercise technique can match. Created by fitness pioneers Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas, Nia presents an entirely new philosophy of exercise—one that will not only keep you in fantastic shape, but will also help you rediscover the joy of movement and being at home in your body.

The Nia Technique is the first and only book to share the workouts so popular at gyms and spas across the country, outlining the basic Nia moves—or katas—that can be performed easily at home and adapted to your own level of fitness. With moves drawn from nine fitness disciplines, including tae kwan do, tai chi, yoga, Feldenkrais™, jazz dance, and modern dance, Nia promotes strength and muscle definition without the use of weights, and its freeing, dance-like regimen provides a medium for self-healing. You’ll tighten, tone, lengthen, strengthen, and lose pounds and inches—and have fun doing it! You’ll learn to follow “the body’s way”—a breakthrough fitness concept that teaches you to move in the way that most benefits your individual body; and you’ll learn to use visualizations and vocalizations that enhance the benefits of each workout. The overall regimen is phenomenally effective because its holistic approach unites the body and the mind, and creates an exhilarating path that anyone can follow toward a healthy, fit physique, lasting weight loss, and an unlimited sense of your fitness potential.

With simple, step-by-step instructions, The Nia Technique also shares the inspiring stories of people whose lives have been transformed by the practice of Nia. With Nia, a new body is just the beginning—the ultimate goal is a new life!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“An emotional fitness odyssey, Nia is just plain exhilarating.”—New York Times

“This lyrical, dance-like routine is deceptively powerful, delivering a high-powered workout that will leave you strong and centered.”—Health magazine

About the Author

Debbie Rosas and Carlos Rosas met in 1981, and together they created Nia, the first fusion fitness technique. They have appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including Good Morning America, as well as in more than 400 newspapers and magazines, including Harper’s Bazaar, Self, Shape, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times. They live in Portland, Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press (January 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767917308
• ISBN-13: 978-0767917308
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #163,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Exercise & Fitness > Aerobics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nia Technique, February 3, 2005

By 

MJH (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nia Technique: The High-Powered Energizing Workout that Gives You a New Body and a New Life (Paperback)

I timidly walked into my first NIA class six years ago,not knowing what to expect, bald from chemotherapy, my head covered in a bandana. As the music started, Laurie, our teacher, guided us into the movements and directed us to extend our arms outwardly in a fluid manner. I thought, "Who am I to move my arms with grace?" I felt stiff and embarrassed. As a woman in her fifties (who exercised regularly), I had never been taught to actually be in my body. The body was to be controlled, starved and critiqued, but never honored. Then, as Laurie continued her gentle coaching, the rhythm of the music pulled me in, and I knew I had found something very special. My body desperately needed healing. It may not be cured of breast cancer but it certainly could experience some measure of healing. As the class continued, I dropped deliciously into feeling each joint move and become more limber. I almost felt like they were thanking me for moving them in such a luxurious way. By my third class, and still to this day, I often execute a movement and tears will well up as joy, yes joy, is released. I feel immense gratitude to my teacher, Laurie, who brings meaning, beauty and strength to each movement. And I send gratitude also to Debbie Rosas for bringing to life this most authentic form of mind/body/spirit integration. Nia is for everyone, all ages, and all abilities, working together for fitness, heart work and simple delight in recovering the body. I encourage everyone to try Nia.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fitness for everyone!, July 6, 2005

By 

Candy "yalegirl03" (New Haven, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Nia Technique: The High-Powered Energizing Workout that Gives You a New Body and a New Life (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book and the corresponding workshop videos available through the NIA website. I am a full figured woman, over 350lbs, and I took a NIA class at my college gym with people of various fitness levels. I could keep up with the routine and break a sweat while those half my size were still challenged as well. The class was fun and involves your whole body. I enjoyed dancing and moving and after each class I feel invigorated and refreshed. I particularly enjoyed the stretches and relaxation poses towards the end.

Nia is adaptable for all skill levels and is easy on the joint. I felt sort of embarrassed at first, but as time wore on I got more into it. My flexibility was increased as well as my self esteem as I learned to truly enjoy movement! I am purchasing this book to accompany my videos so that when I move away, I can still do Nia.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nia kicks you to a new level - gently, May 11, 2005

By 

B. Shushan "Beatrice Shushan" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Nia Technique: The High-Powered Energizing Workout that Gives You a New Body and a New Life (Paperback)

The manual is easy to follow, the movements are truly joyful and easy to acheive and one ends the session with a sense of serene joy and self love. My one caveat is that the authors might do well to excise the catty comments about "aerobic bunnies" and simply focus on the beauty of their method which is phenomenal.